Introduction to… Falmouth University’s online Photography MA

Falmouth University’s new online MA Photography has been developed and launched in partnership with global Higher Education specialists Cambridge Education Group to help emerging professionals working in the field realise the commercial potential of their creative ideas.

There are already many commercially successful photographers and the demand for dynamic and sophisticated photographic practitioners continues to grow. Whether working as an artist on self-directed projects, or a commercial photographer working to a client brief, it is essential that practitioners be equipped to manage ever-changing contexts to successfully deliver high quality professional outcomes. We are witnessing a huge growth in the use of imagery in society in various forms; this increases the importance of the need for exemplary visual literacy and the capacity to identify new outlets for creative work. 

How does it work?

The part-time MA is delivered online over two years, aimed at those photographers aiming to take their practice to the next level. There are also opportunities for students to attend bi-annual residential workshops around the world linked to major international photography events. The online delivery of the course provides students with a dynamic learning environment and networks them with peers on a global level, offering a learning experience that reflects contemporary professional practice today. A ‘Course Hub’ area provides general information about the course, information about accessing support and opportunities to network with students across the course, and also the materials required to study each of the modules.

Flexible study

The flexible nature of the course has been developed to allow professionals to study around their work and other personal commitments. This is an important aspect of this postgraduate offer as many emerging practitioners struggle to find the time to develop their skills and knowledge through other forms of study. The project work is tailored to incorporate the student’s existing practice – the work for the course is real-time work rather than a simulated activity. 

What’s involved?

The three core strands taught on the course are the key building blocks of a successful practice. Firstly, how best to place the work in front of audiences and markets – publishing work can take the form of digital portfolio, hardcopy, exhibition or a combination of these – and best options are explored relative to the student’s specific practice. Secondly, how to manage the business of being a photographer, understanding that a financially sustainable practice is essential for success. Finally, students are guided in the development of a sophisticated understanding of the critical contexts for what they produce. Not least, the course helps to develop professional resilience by providing the knowledge and skills to enable photographers to manage change.

Every student has the opportunity to reflect upon their own photographic practice, interrogate it, take it apart, and then put it back together again to give them a new direction. The big difference between this new MA and typical professional development programmes is that it does not teach new creative photography skills as such. Instead it explores the intellectual, critical and business elements of photography and hone in on sharpening up practitioners’ ability to establish and sustain a lengthy career in the profession. It’s also not about pinning everything down now – more creating an awareness of how photographers are operating, what is on the horizon, and opening up minds to potential outputs and forms of publishing, from online to magazines, and books to exhibitions.

Who’s it for?

Students may not necessarily be photographers. The MA might also be of interest to writers or curators working with photography such as museum or gallery professionals wishimng to enhance their understanding of contemporary professional practice in photography. So far the course has attracted students from around the world working in various forms of photography – perhaps not surprisingly they are finding it an interesting experience.

Paul Cabuts is director of the Institute of Photography at Falmouth University.
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